However, saying “everyone” loved it wasn’t entirely true. Ariella, for one, didn’t particularly care for it.
It was a place too crowded with people and excessively decorated, hurting both the eyes and ears. The kind of street Aaronna and Catalina would adore.
This was the image of Mayfair Street and Edinburgh’s downtown area that she had always known, and as such, she usually avoided frequenting this area.
But for some reason, Mayfair Street, as she walked hand-in-hand with him, felt like a completely new place.
The rhythmic clip-clop of horses’ hooves and the large and small carriages moving along the road, families and couples walking with smiling faces, the street adorned with bright yellow flowers and green plants, and the sweet scent wafting from the candy store at the entrance of the street…
In the past, Ariella had been too busy worrying about the glances she received to pay attention to such trivial and useless things.
But today was different.
Perhaps it was because this outing was specifically to attract attention. Even though the people around them were glancing at her and Nobert, it didn’t feel unpleasant.
No, she didn’t even notice it. She was too preoccupied with taking in other things with her eyes, ears, nose, and skin.
Ariella saw the sunlight breaking down into white shards under the clear sky, heard the clear laughter of a child on an outing, and felt the two hands swinging in time with her steps.
They were ordinary, everyday things, but strangely, they all felt particularly special and delightful.
Feeling the gentle breeze brush against her neck, where sweat was about to form, and seep through the collar of her clothes, Ariella pondered why these unremarkable things felt so unfamiliar. And soon, as if finding the answer, she turned her head.
Looking slightly upward, the answer came into view.
He, Nobert, who changed her world so much just by walking together.
As she had expected, Nobert was radiating a very ominous aura.
His large, thick body, capable of concealing him entirely from any angle, was already solid, but now it was even more stiff and creaked as he moved. His expression was so serious that he looked like he was going to kill someone.
In the past, Ariella might have been somewhat surprised or frightened by his expression, but now she knew there was no need to be.
Nobert made that face when he was shy or embarrassed. It was truly endearing.
To be embarrassed by something like this. And here he was, holding my hand so possessively the other day.
Glancing at his fiercely glaring eyes, she recalled the scene that had been lingering in her mind for days.
“Still, far from enough.”
Nobert, who had momentarily cast aside his almost excessive politeness and courtesy, his fingers digging between hers, looking at her as if he would devour her.
The raw, visceral desire vivid in his eyes, and the voice that craved more than that. The heavy, tingling sensation in her lower abdomen and the trembling throughout her body. These were things she couldn’t forget.
It was fortunate that another, more pressing incident had occurred that dawn. Otherwise, she might have been too busy reliving that moment to focus on her plans.
But thanks to David’s self-destruction, she was able to temporarily forget about Nobert and focus solely on revenge.
The moment she met him again, that tension surged back. She wondered, with a mixture of worry and hope, if something similar might happen again today.
But lo and behold, the captivating man from that time was nowhere to be found, replaced by an adorable sweetheart who was flustered just by holding hands.
How utterly innocent.
It was more amusing than disappointing. She felt an overwhelming urge to tease him relentlessly.
And so, Ariella forgot about how she had trembled before him, barely able to breathe, and bravely ramped up her efforts.
“Nobert, shall we go over there too?”
She suggested in a casual voice, playfully stroking the back of his hand with her thumb.
She could feel Nobert’s skin tense up.
“Yes.”
Nobert replied again in a serious voice.
It was funny how he was going along with all her suggestions. He hadn’t even bothered to check where she was pointing.
Seeing his thick eyebrows twitch dramatically and the force with which he clenched his teeth, Ariella was thoroughly amused.
What kind of prank should she play next? Should she boldly link arms with him, or perhaps lean her head on his shoulder like last time?
She had never known she was such a playful person. But Nobert, well, he was definitely “fun to tease.” That was why, even though she knew she should stop at some point, she kept poking at him.
I’ll tease him a little more and then stop.
Ariella made a determined effort to suppress the rising urge.
However, there was a piece of information she was completely unaware of.
Nobert was far from “innocent,” and he was only barely managing to muster his shallow patience for her sake. If she provoked him any further, she would be the one in trouble.
Ariella, completely unaware of this fact and the future that awaited her, smiled to herself as she took another step.
After holding hands and exploring various places in the downtown area, the two of them entered a store called “Juliana Campbell” at Ariella’s suggestion.
Juliana Campbell had occupied the best spot at the entrance of Mayfair Street for decades, and was the most renowned jewelry store even among the luxury boutiques that lined the street.
As such, the quality of the jewelry they carried was on a different level from that of other jewelry stores, and only the very wealthy could afford to buy Juliana Campbell’s jewelry for everyday use.
Even nobles only visited the store when proposing marriage.
As a result, dozens of gazes pierced their backs as she and Nobert entered the store. Whispering voices seemed to be coming from all directions.
They were the most talked-about couple in Edinburgh these days, and their visit to Juliana Campbell was naturally a hot topic. Ariella had proposed it with that in mind.
However, she had no intention of actually buying expensive jewelry there.
Buying a flashy piece of jewelry at Juliana Campbell would greatly help spread the rumors far and wide, even solidifying them, but even so, the jewelry here was far too expensive.
The cost is too high for the effect.
She had already embezzled a considerable amount of money for her independence, but considering that she would soon be leaving the Astoria ducal estate to live on her own, extravagance was out of the question.
Especially considering that there were two more people she had to take responsibility for.
Therefore, she planned to simply look around and then leave the store. Other nobles considered this behavior to be extremely shameful, but Ariella didn’t mind it much.
But somehow, the situation was unfolding in a way she hadn’t anticipated.
“It’s an honor to have you visit. First, I’ll show you the most precious item in our store.”
It was a mistake to underestimate Nobert Ashbon’s reputation.
She knew he was an important person, but she hadn’t expected the elderly manager himself to come out and introduce each item one by one.
This is going to make it even harder to leave. Ariella bit her lip in embarrassment. She didn’t mind looking foolish herself, but she couldn’t allow Nobert’s image to be tarnished as well.
Since things had turned out this way, there was only one way to go. If she acted like his mistress and fawned over him, Nobert would hesitate and refuse. That way, she could get away with only damaging her own image.
But the problem was Nobert. Even though they had already agreed on it, Nobert was extremely reluctant to treat her like his mistress.
Sure enough, before she could even whisper anything in his ear, Nobert made the first move.
“Please show us necklaces that are suitable for everyday wear. Not too extravagant, but of sufficient quality.”
“Yes, I understand.”
The manager with the well-groomed beard left the reception room before she could even stop him.
After confirming that he had disappeared into the distance, Ariella lowered her voice and spoke.
“Nobert, I didn’t come here expecting you to buy me something…!”
“This will be better for creating rumors.”
“I know that, but the jewelry here is too expensive. I can’t let you go to such trouble for me.”
“I think you’re misunderstanding. I’m just trying to buy something I want.”
As her protests continued, Nobert made an absurd excuse with great confidence.
Ariella stared at his handsome face, which showed no sign of wavering, and let out a hollow laugh.
“Nobert is going to wear it?”
